Multiplex telegraphy.



m. mm' Patented Dec. 23, I902.

a. snowman. MULTIPLEX TELEGRAPHY.

(Application filed Feb; 2:5. 1901.1

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(No mum.)

No, 716,77i. Patented Dec. 23, I902.

H. SHOEMAKER. I

MULTIPLEX TELEGRAPHY.

- a peazion filed Feb. 25. 1901.) (No Model.) 4She-ets-Sheet- 2.

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Pat ented Dec. 23,1902,

H SHOEMAKER. MULTIPLEX TELEEBAPHY.

(Application filexl Feb. 25. ISQL: (N0 Model.) 4'Sheets-Sheet 3,. I

' qxlimwoeo No. 7l6,77l Patented Dec. 23, 1902.

' v H. snowmen;

'MULTPLEX TELEGBAPHY.

(Application filed Feb. 25. 1901) (No Model.) 4 Sheets- Sheet 4.

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Unirnn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

HARRY SHOEMAKER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO GUSTAVE P. GEHRING AND MARIE V. GEHRING, OF PHILADELPHIA,

PENNSYLVANIA M ULTIPLEX TELEG RAPHY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,771, dated December 23, 1902.

Application filed February 25, 1901. erial No. 48,699. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY SHOEMAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multiplex Telegraphy, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in multiplex telegraphy; and the main object of my invention is the production of a system that has twoterminal stations, each having transmitting and receiving devices, also intermediate stations having transmitting, receiving, and repeating devices, any number of intermediate stations being used in the system.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device which will give an exact synchronous movement to all parts along the line and an automatic correcting device in each station, which is very accurate in its action. i

To attain the desired objects, my invention consists of amultiplex-telegraph system em bodying novel features of construction and combination of parts, substantially as disclosed herein.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view of the entire system. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one of the terminal stations, which is both a transmitting and a receiving station. Fig. 3 is a similar view of an intermediate or repeating station, which also is a transmitting and receiving station. Fig. 4 is an end view of the commutator, showing the principle of producing alternating currents from continuous ones. Fig. 5 is a detail View of the friction-clutch, and Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the distributer-disks of the intermediate stations.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designatesa spring-motor (or any desired motive power) which is connected-so as to revolve the train of gears 2, 2 2", and 2, an escapement or regulating device 3 being mounted upon the shaft of the gear 2 to regulate the revolving of the gears,so as to give an even movement thereto. I would have it understood that any device can be employed to give the desired result without departing from the spirit of my invention, the main de sire being to produce a train of gears which give an even synchronous movement as these gears revolve the pole-changer 4, which is adapted to produce alternating currents through the wires 5 and 6, as in Fig. 1.

The commutator is provided with conductor-blocks 7 ,separated by insulation. Ev-

ery alternate block is in circuit, forming two sets upon the wheel, and one set isin circuit with the ring 8 and the other with the ring 9. As the circuit 10 has the brushes 11 and 11 adapted to contact one block of each set, a

continuous current sent through the commutator is caused to alternate, sending alternating currents through the two commutatorrings 12 and 12 of the alternating motor 13, as shown in Fig. 1, revolving the shaft 14. The reason for using alternating currents is because the motor will not be affected so readily by the action of the corrector-stop, described hereinafter, and the motor will always be in step with the commutator, which is synchronized with the difierent stations.

Passing through the distributor-disk 15 is a short shaft 14 and said disk is composed of a series of insulated disks or segments, fortyeight in number, as shown in the drawings; but any number can be used, depending upon the number of instruments used. An arm 16 is mounted upon the shaft and adapted to have its contact-point 17 always in contact with a disk. This disk is formed in quadrants, although any number of divisions may be had, the division of the disk being for the purpose of giving the distributer-arm aslower speed than would be possible with a less number of divisions, and each quadrant is provided with segments a, b, c, and (1, connected, respectively, in circuit. A wire 18 leads from segment a and is in circuit with the relay 19, condenser 20, main batteries 21, and the ground. This relay operates the pivoted arm 22, which closes a circuit with the electromagnet 23, which operates the pivoted arm or lever 24, whose end abuts against the periphery of the disk or wheel and stops the shaft 1a when the pin 25 is engaged. Mounted upon the inner end of the shaft 14 is a toothed member 26, as shown clearly in Fig. 5, of a friction-clutch, the other member 27 being mounted upon the outer end of the shaft 14 and having a spring-arm 27 to engage the tooth member and cause the shaft 14 to be revolved when not stopped by the correcting device. This stopping of the shaft 14 does not affect the movement of the alternating motor. It will be noticed while the relaymagnet 19 is energized that the local circuit is open, and as soon as it is denergized the circuit through the magnet 23 is closed as the spring of the arm 22 returns to the arm to contact the point 22*. It will be noticed while the arms of the distributer-disks are in exact synchronism they contact the segments connected with the correcting-circuit, thus normally holding the connecting-circuits open. Should these arms get out of stepthat is, contact different segments-the correctingcircuit will be broken, hence denergizing the relay 19,causing the local circuit through magnet 23 and magnet of the correcting devices of each station to be closed, thus stopping distributer-arms of each station on a segment, which puts them in step and closes the correcting-circuit, causing the release of the distributer-arms and allowing the arms to revolve by the motor 13. This constitutes my correcting device.

The apparatus 30, 31, and 32 are connected, respectively, in circuit with the main batteries and transmitting-keys 30, 31, and 32 and the segments 1), c, and d through the wires 30,

31, and 32. Connected with the distributerdisk arm is the main line 33, which is connected with a similar distribu ter-disk arm 34, the disk 34 surrounding a shaft 35, this shaft and the shaft 35 having the friction-clutch and stop similar to the one employed upon the terminal stations, this being a portion of the intermediate or repeating station.

Connected with their proper segments are the repeaters 35 36, and 37 and the correcting apparatus 38, each of these being con nected with their proper segments upon the distributer-disk 39. This disk surrounds the shaft 35, parallel with and similar to the disk 34, and is connected in turn with the apparatus 40 of the other terminal station. All of the stations are provided with sounders 41. The repeater or intermediate apparatus in Fig. 3 each consists of the respective wires 35, 36", and 37", each provided with a key 42, which is normally in circuit through the switch 43, the lever 44, wire 45, relay 46, condenser 47, wires 47 and 47 and ground 48. When sending a message, however, the circuit is opened, so as not to short-circuit the key. The relay 46, being at this instant energized, operates the lever 49 and electromagnet 49 through the batteries 49", said magnet operating a lever 50, which makes a circuit through wires 51 and 51, batteries 52, and ground 48. When the levers 49 and 50 are returned by their springs, the lever 50 forms a circuit through wire 52, relay 53,

condenser 54, and ground 55. This relay 53 operates the lever 56, which closes a circuit through the armature 56, contact 56, wire 57, sounder 58, wire 39, batteries 59, and wire 60, and as the relay 53 is denergized the tractile spring of the armature returns the armature 56 and causes a circuit to be made through contact 56, Wire 63, magnet 62, batteries 61, Wire 61 and armature 56. This electromagnet 62 operates the lever 44, and a circuit through one of the wires 35 36 or 37*, key 42, wire 64 lever 44, arm 64, battery 65, and ground is completed, the other portion of the circuit being over the main line with another station.

The correcting apparatus consists of the wire 38, which is connected to the proper segment of the disk 34 and the armature 72, the contacts 73 and 73, the electromagnet 74, operated by the circuit controlled by the relay 71, the Wire 75, connected with the batteries 65 and the ground. When the relay 71 is energized, the electromagnet 74 is energized and causes its armature 72 to be operated to contact point 73, thus placing the correcting apparatus in circuit with the ground and line-wire of the other station, and as soon as all stations are in step the electromagnet 74 is denergized. At the same time that relay 71 is energizedrelay 71 is also energized, and thus by means of the electromagnet '76 the wire 77 is placed in circuit with armature 78, contact 79, wire 80 and 51 and the batteries 52, and ground. The wire 77 being connected to the proper segment of the wheel 39, the current is returned through the arm 73 and the line-wire 74". Simultaneous with this movement of the armature a circuit is made which controls the electromagnet 68, Which causes the armature 24 to stop the shaft 35, this armature being released as soon as the stations are all in step. The relay 71 corresponds to the relay 46 and is operated in the same manner,

'and the relay 71 and its lever 7O correspond to relay 53 and is operated in the same manner.

From this description, taken in connection with the drawings, the operation of my multi pleX-telegraph system is readily understood; but, briefly stated, it is as follows: The gears are set in motion by the force of the springmotor or any suitable power, thus revolving the pole-changer, which is regulated by the escapement or any suitable means. This polechanger receives a continuous current and transforms it into a single-phase alternating current to operate the alternating motor. By the use of an alternating current the motor will keep in step with the pole-changer. The motor, through the friction-clutch, revolves the distributer-disks arm, which is adapted to travel around, contacting the segments of the disk. By means of the transmitting-keys of either apparatus the impulses are transmitted through the proper segments to the main line, where they are sent to the intermediate stations and finally to the other terminal station. The arms in all the stations are started in exact synchronism, and the connecting-circuitis normally held open; but should the arms for any reason become out of step the local circuit is opened, thus allowing the proper connectingcircuits to be closed. This operation causes the stoppage of the proper arm until the local circuit is closedthat is, when all the arms are upon the corresponding segments of the pole-changers the respective arms are released and allowed to revolve. This insures an exact synchronous electrical movement to the entire system. B y pressing a key-say, for instance, 30an impulse is transmitted through the apparatus 30, wire 30, the proper segment of the disk 15, Wire 33, arm 34, the proper segment of the disk 34 wire 35", switch43, receiving apparatus 35 and received by the sounder 41. If a message is to be sent on to the terminal station, it passes through wire 72, the proper segment of the disk 39, the arm 73, wire 74, arm 75, the proper segment of the disk, and wire 76 to the receiving apparatus 40 to operate the sounder 41, completing the circuit through wire 71, battery 71, and the ground.

It is evident that I provide a multiplextelegraph system which constitutes two terminal stations and any number of intermediate or repeating stations.

It will be noticed that I employ one set of batteries for all sets of repeaters and correctors, and I would have it understood that any number of repeaters and correctors can be employed in my system. For illustration, however, only three have been shown in the drawings.

My synchronizing device being controlled by gravity makes it absolutely accurate in its synchronizing, as the points of gravity are constant in all parts of the earth.

It will thus be seen that I provide a very simple and practical multiplex-telegraph system.

I claim- 1. In a multiplex-telegraph system the combination of two terminal stations, each having transmitting and receiving apparatus and intermediate stations having transmitting, receivin g and repeating apparatus, each of said stations being provided with synchronizing devices and means for correcting said synchronizing devices.

2. In a multiplex-telegraph system the combination of terminal and intermediate sta- Lions, each comprisinga train of gears, a motor to revolve said gears, means to give a measured movement to said gears, and means adapted to convert a continuous current into an alternating current, an alternating motor operated by said current, means revolved by said motor to make successive circuits, transmitting and receiving apparatus connected in the circuit with said means and a correcting apparatus also in circuit therewith.

3. In a multiplex-telegraph system the combination of terminal stations and intermediate stations, said intermediate stations comprising a series of transmitting, receiving and repeating apparatus, and a correcting apparatus.

4:. In a multiplex-telegraph system the combination of terminal stations for receiving and transmitting devices and intermediate or repeating stations having devices which are operated in synchronism with the other stations to transmit, receive and repeat.

5. In a multiplex-telegraph system,the combination of terminal or intermediate or repeating stations; each of said stations comprising a circuit which keeps all stations in synchronous movement and a correcting-circuit adapted to be operated when the local circuit is broken.

6. In a multiplex-telegraph system,the combination of terminal and intermediate stations, each comprising a train of gears, means to give a measured movement to said gears and means adapted to convert a continuous current into an alternating current, an alternating motor operated by said current, means revolved by said motor to make successive circuits, transmitting and receiving apparatus connected in circuit with said means; and a correcting apparatus also in circuit therewith.

7. In a terminal station for multiplex telegraphy, the combination of a train of gears, a motor to revolve said gears, means to give a measured movement to said gears and means adapted to converta continuous current into an alternating current connected by said train of gears, an alternating motor operated by said current, means revolved by said alternating motor to make successive circuits, and a transmitting apparatus, a correcting apparatus, and a receiving apparatus operated by said circuits.

S. In a multiplex-telegraph terminal station, the combination of a transmitting, correcting and receiving apparatus, a shaft, a distributor-disk stationarily surrounding said shaft provided with segments which are connected to said transmitting, receiving and correcting apparatus, respectively, an arm carried by said shaft adapted to contact the segments of the disk as the shaft revolves, a line-wire conneoted to said arm, and means to revolve the shaft.

9. In a multiplex-telegraph system,the combination of terminal stations and intermediate stations, said intermediate stations comprising a series of transmitting, receiving and repeating apparatus, and a correcting apparatus, and synchronizing means in each of the stations. 7

10. In a multiplex-telegraph system the combination of terminal stations, and intermediate stations, said intermediate stations oomprising a series of transmitting, receiving and repeating apparatus, and correcting apparatus, and synchronizing devices for each 10 rent, a circuit-maker, transmitting and receiving apparatus connected in the circuit with said circuit-maker, and a correcting apparatus also in circuit With said circuit-maker.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY SHOEMAKER.

Witnesses:

WM. J. Moss, J. N. FORT, Jr. 

